Cheeks Feel Hot

On the day of Zephyr’s art exhibition, I saw people stand around a portrait of myself. My cheeks were flushed, and I was bare. My posture was the one we used in bed last week for fun. Zephyr even got the mole on my chest right. As people stared at me mockingly, I demanded, “Why did you do this to me?” He was unbothered. “It’s not as if I asked you to sleep with someone else.” But he did let people see how I looked when I was having an intimate moment with my own boyfriend! “It’s just a painting. Why are you being so petty?” I was stunned by the mockery in Zephyr’s gaze. Then, I called my assistant. “I’m attending the international art festival as the organizer.”

At the parent-teacher conference, Emery Carey's essay, My CEO Mom, won first place, earning thunderous applause from the class. But the mood soured when my daughter ran to me in tears, her cheeks marked with red handprints. "Emery hit me again. He said I don't belong in his class and spat in my face." I scooped her up and marched to the teacher to demand answers. The teacher brushed it off. "It's just kids' horseplay. Don't blow it out of proportion. Emery's mother is the CEO of Mills Group. Get the picture and pull your kid out. Don't affect the mood." I froze, shocked by the absurdity. Then I dialed my lawyer. "Prepare the divorce agreement. Olivia is leaving with nothing." She'd been using my money to fund her lover and his son. That betrayal would not go unpunished.

Yuri's father calls and tells me to send his son, the Alpha heir and my childhood friend, home to meet his further mate. But Yuri Blevin is lying next to me, fast asleep and shirtless. Thinking it's just a joke, I nudge him and say with a light laugh, "Yuri, they said they've arranged a mate for you. What do you think?" He raises an eyebrow and lazily wraps an arm around my waist. "Then make sure you pick a nice suit for me. I trust your taste will impress her." When I freeze and say nothing, Yuri opens his eyes and lets out a carefree chuckle. "Hey, Ophelia, what kind of reaction is that? We're just casual lovers, right? Don't tell me you actually thought I'd make you my future Luna?"

I'd been engaged to Ivan since we were kids. When he went off to the military, I stayed behind—ten years of caring for his paralyzed mom, putting my whole life on pause. By the time he came back, I was at the age where most women were settling down. And he showed up with someone else. Ivan laid it out, stone cold: "Nadia's my comrade's widow. If you want to marry me, you'll have to accept her too. Most of my pay goes to her. I promised I'd take care of her. She gets first pick of everything in the house. Don't like it? Then forget about getting married." I looked past him. Nadia stood there, tears dripping down her cheeks, playing the poor little victim. Right then, I ended it. No drama. No regrets. Signed up for the Rural Teaching Support Program the same day. Left love behind. Threw everything I had into teaching.

"The cold-hearted CEO who scares everyone is afraid of losing me?" Grace uttered, her gaze lingering on Evelyn's lips. "Yes, I'm. You don't need to continue your job, you can join my company, Grace." Evelyn cupped her cheeks, slowly taking her lips into a sensual and passionate kiss, pouring all her feelings and love into that kiss. Grace shortly responded to her kiss. "Pearl... That's what they... call me," she moaned loudly when Evelyn unfastened the hook of her bra and caressed her breasts while showering hot kisses all over her shoulders and breasts. "You're my Grace, only mine," Evelyn said between the kisses and pulled that little black panty off her body which was hardly covering her ass. Grace couldn't protest the desires and gave in. The tiny pieces of clothes were the costume of Grace, she was a hot and sexy pole dancer who was famous as 'Pearl'. The way she moved around the pole so skillfully, always made Evelyn feel wet and hot. Until this night, she never dared to come to Grace's room but tonight she was drunk and she wanted nothing but Grace. Maybe after one night with this pole dancer, she would be able to pull her off her mind. It was just a one-night stand for Evelyn but what will happen when she'll offer a job to Grace to become her private dancer?

"Yes”, I say slowly, tears welling up in my eyes as each drop run down my cheeks, hot and carrying the weight of my emotions, I feel my throat closing up and my chest tightening as I struggle to find words. What have I done to him? I think to myself, it dawn on me that maybe, just maybe, his aching and bothersome affection towards me could be sincere and I was at the brink of losing it. Billionaire CEO Elias Vermontary seems to only care about raising stocks and making investments, anything and everything to diversify the Vermontary enterprise. He is considered the most eligible bachelor in the country but marriage is unfortunately the last thing on his mind. In a bid to die down the rising rumors of his sexuality and the conniving efforts of his family, he decides to get married to Selene Argraval a struggling lawyer, who has a nerve wrecking disdain for the wealthy and their lavish lifestyle. As their worlds collide, they must learn to face the challenges of life together, forgoing their differences and withstanding the pressures of their contrasting lives. Will a love that doesn’t seem to exist brew, and will it be better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all? Unravel the sacrifices made in a bid to love harder and longer.

Ella Mae Emerson, the girl who stays hidden at all costs, the girl who likes to be alone with eyes glued to the floor, words coming out as stutters, and nervousness her own personal shadow. She's just a girl who's trying to make it through the day with anxiety clinging to her back.Declan Olin Anderson, the new kid who transferred with drooling features and a charming attitude. Football is his sport, you could say he's quite the stellar athlete who's got game both on and off the field. If you push he'll pull, he doesn't quit because no good athlete does.She wasn't like him and he wasn't like her. They each got their own problems but finding each other wasn't one of them.*"You're beautiful Ellie, that's why they're staring." He whispers into my ear. My cheeks go hot as my eyes meet his. I don't know why, but when Declan calls me beautiful I get this feeling that I can't describe. He makes me feel so special. At this moment it's just me and him, he smirks and adds, "You're my girl, not theirs, they are jealous and they should be."

My husband chooses to stay in a honeymoon suite with his secretary during a company teambuilding event. "I'm in poor health, so I need Mr. Lowe by my side to care for me when I'm taking a dip in the hot springs. I'm sure Elaine won't be mad because she's so generous, right?" My husband wraps an arm around her waist, sounding displeased as he says, "Ignore her. I'd have wasted my time on her if she's so petty!" Our colleagues chime in. "Exactly! It's best to get a divorce if your wife gets jealous so easily! Now, Ms. Klein is gentle and considerate. You're a lucky man, Mr. Lowe!" I'm the one who recruited all of these people into the company, yet they all now despise me. Since none of them like me, there's no need for the company to exist anymore. I text my parents. "Don't bother investing in the company anymore. I no longer want it."

All it takes for me to be locked inside a sauna for eight hours is an accidental splash of hot water on Wayne Miller's secretary's hand. Right before I lose consciousness, he finally orders someone to let me out. He hisses, "Consider this a warning. If I ever see you lay a hand on Naomi again, I won't let you off so easily." I lie on a stretcher and answer with quiet composure, "Understood."

On my birthday, my boyfriend ditched his childhood friend's desperate call to be with me. Devastated by his rejection, she spiraled into depression and ended her life. Heartbroken, he proposed to me beside her body. "I've already lost Giselle. I can't lose you, too." I said yes, moved by his grief and sincerity. But on our wedding night, he turned on me, hacking me with a knife. "You vile woman! Giselle died because of you. Time to feel her pain!" As I bled out, the girl waltzed back, saying she'd faked her death to spook him. Overjoyed, he pointed at my corpse. "Thank God, you're alive. This wretched woman is gone, and we're free to be together." They looted my wealth for their lavish wedding and happy life. When my eyes snapped open again, I was back on that fateful birthday.